Overview

Kanjavec is the highest real mountain in Julian Alps for tour skiing (extreme skiing excluded). It is situated in Triglav group, lying just a few miles towards south-west. As other mountains in Julian Alps, also Kanjavec is very steep towards north and not so much towards south. Outstanding is its north-west wall, one of the highest in Julian Alps. Zadnjica valley below ends on the altitude of about 1000 meters, some scree slopes above it and then only vertical walls. But still, Kanjavec north wall is not so monolythic as Triglav's that is why it is not so popular with climbers. Only the western shoulder, named Vrsac, (2194m) has a beautiful wall, where the hardest rock climbs can be done. From the summit towards NE only moderate steep slopes go, similar also towards south. The latter are among the best skiing slopes in Julian Alps. When passing by the path from Dolic to Hribarice, we see above us the summit of Zob Kanjavca (The Tooth of Kanjavec). In its walls some fine modern hard climbs were done.

South of the summit, on the altitude of about 2400m a high plateau, named Hribarice lies. One of the most frequently used mountain paths in Julian Alps crosses it - from Dolina Triglavskih jezer (The Valley of Triglav Lakes) towards Triglav summit. The plateau looks like a limestone, carst desert, but in winter it is crossed quickly by skis and you can slide down in one of many valleys.

East of Kanjavec Velska dolina (valley) lies. There are beautiful mountain meadows, which once used to be also pastures, and you can still see some old shepards huts standing on Velo polje and Miseljska planina. Towards south-west quite a different valley lies. Dolina Triglavskih jezer (The Valley of Triglav Lakes) is a geological specialty of Julian Alps. Layers of harder rocks enable several beutiful lakes while all around a carst landscape lies. This difference is best seen in several valleys south of Kanjavec. It is hard to imagine, that someone would enjoy travelling there in summer. Limestone "desert" is hardly passable, there are also many caves. Again this world is completely different in winter and spring, when snow covers rocky landscape. Through these valleys, with much orientation skills (fog here is extremely dangerous!) you can endlessly ski down to Bohinj lake, on the altitude of only 525m.

As said, Kanjavec is frequently ascended in summer and autumn, but rarely as the only objective. But it is very different in spring and even in winter. Skiing down to Bohinj valley (south) or to Velo polje and further to Krma and Sava valley offers a fit skier some 2000 meters of altitude difference.

The summit offers also great panorama.

Getting There

Kanjavec can be climbed from three valleys, but all three ascents are long and high, rarely done in one day. (It is different in winter - on skis you can be faster.)

Zadnjica on NW is a side valley of Trenta. This can be reached from north (Sava valley) over Vrsic Pass or from south along Soca river. In the village Na Logu you turn eastwards and enter Zadnjica valley. But from its end Kanjavec can not be climbed directly (NW wall!). You must take a marked path either to Prehodavci pass and Hribarice (western) or the path to Dolic pass and Hribarice (eastern).

In Sava valley (northern boundary of Julian Alps) you enter Krma valley in the vilage of Mojstrana. Krma is long but it still doesn't bring you below Kanjavec. It ends on Bohinjska Vratca (pass), 1979m, from where you must descend to Velo polje (1700m), go by Velska dolina (valley) towards west, ascend Hribarice and the summit of Kanjavec. A lot for one day!

The third valley is Bohinj. It lies south of Triglav massif. As said, by Bohinj lake the altitude is only something above 500 meters. From there, several routes go northwards, into Triglav kingdom. Some are marked, many more are not. Travelling through Dolina Triglavskih jezer (The Valley of Triglav Lakes) is the most beautiful option. But skiing down there, ends on the edge of the steep Komarca and you must walk down 600 meters. North of Bohinj lake there are several alpine pastures among wild forests. Pastures are connected also with marked routes, but up to Kanjavec, which is the highest point of this area, no marked path goes. Velo polje can be of course also reached from Bohinj by a marked path.

An excellent description of the ascent through The Valley of Triglav Lakes, posted on SP by Velebit, can be found here.

Further detailed descriptions of the ascent from Bohinj on Velo Polje, posted on SP by Velebit, can be found here.

Red Tape

Kanjavec is in the core area of Triglav National Park, so all activities which could possibly harm nature are strictly prohibited.

When To Climb

The mountain can be climbed any time of the year, but as all approaches are long, in hard winter you may face severe obstacles: avalanches, long walks in deep snow. The most popular time is mid summer till autumn (July-October), but for those who like skiing, spring is the best season (March-May).

Weather: see the official page for Slovenia here.
Even better site is wunderground - here's the direct link to Kredarica station, 2515m (below Triglav summit).

Huts and Camping

Because of Triglav neighbourhood, also Kanjavec is supported by several mountain huts. In summer they are overcrowded, but outside main season they offer excellent winter rooms.

Trzaska koca on Dolic pass, 2152m. 93 beds, a separate winter room with 16 beds. Opened from end of June till end of September. Cell phone.: (050) 614780.